Five Tips for a Happy Life from Man’s Best Friend

Ask anyone what their goal is in life and their answer will probably be, “To be happy.”

If our dogs could talk, they would share five reasons we can improve our happiness through their example. Here is a snippet of that conversation.

1 “You can count on me.”

When we ask pet owners what they admire most about their dog, loyalty is usually first on the list. Loyalty is the confidence that you can count on others to be true to you and do the right thing even if it is difficult and even if you are not present. Dogs are loyal to their pack and display amazing loyalty to their owners. So Tip # 1 on the list of things we can do to increase our own happiness is to ensure we are loyal so we strengthen our relationships with others.

2 “Tell me your problems.”

Dogs are among the best listeners ever! You can spend hours talking to your dog and he or she will hang on every word. This is not usually the case for our friends, associates, or even family members. Tip # 2 then is to take time to listen to others and make sure you understand what they have to say before you share your point of view.

3 “Let’s play!”

One of the best things about dogs is their curiosity and desire to play. Tip # 3 – step outside of your daily routine, take the dog out for a walk, and pledge to have at least one experience a week that is just plain fun.

4 “I forgive you.”

Even if you come home late, skip a walk, run out of their favorite treat, or accidently step on their tail, your dog will not hold a grudge against you. Humans, on the other hand, can hold on to real or imagined insults forever! All this does is create stress and keep us from moving on with our lives. Tip # 4 – let go of bitterness and resentment toward yourself or others.

5 “I love you no matter what.”

Our work environment and educational system are based on the carrot and stick: “Do this for me and I’ll give you that.” Unfortunately, this approach often carries over to our relationships and we begin to place conditions on our affections with others. Dogs love you whether you are young, old, rich, poor, fat, skinny, covered with hair or bald as they come. Tip # 5 – love with an open heart and expect nothing from others in return for giving yours.

Garry McDaniel and Sharon Massen speak nationally on what individuals and organizations can learn from dogs about leadership, team building, and customer service. Their book, The Dog’s Guide to Your Happiness: Seven Secrets for a Better Life from Man’s Best Friend, is available now.